Darius Rucker Arrested On Drug Possession Charges In Tennessee

Country music star and former Hootie And The Blowfish vocalist Darius Rucker was recently arrested on drug possession charges in Tennessee, authorities confirmed to NBC News.

According to WSMV4, which cited the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Rucker was arrested on three misdemeanour charges: two counts of simple possession of a controlled substance and one count of violation of Tennessee vehicle registration law – he was allegedly driving with an expired licence or licence plates, per Taste Of Country.

Rucker was arrested on Thursday (1 February) and posted his $10,500 bail on the same day. Rucker’s lawyer, Mark Puryear, said the singer is “fully cooperating” with authorities as they investigate.

Fox News reports that Rucker was allegedly in possession of marijuana and pills later identified as psilocin, otherwise known as magic mushrooms.

The Fires Don’t Start Themselves singer was due to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Friday (2 February), but following his arrest, he was removed from the line-up on the venue’s website.

In December, Rucker received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The achievement followed the release of his latest album, Carolyn’s Boy – an album made in tribute to his mother and his first full-length in six years.

Last August, Rucker recalled early conversations with radio executives where he was told he’d never make it as a Black country singer.

“When I started doing the radio stations and stuff, I had people say to me, to my face, ‘My audience would never accept a Black country singer,’” Rucker revealed. “That’s something that I was like, ‘Okay, just play the record, let’s see?’ And then they did.”

Rucker admitted that he didn’t believe he’d find much success as a solo artist. He added, “To be honest with you, I didn’t think I would have much success.”

Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It, the first single from his 2008 album Learn To Live, made Rucker the first black country artist to reach #1 on the US Hot Country Songs Chart since Charley Pride accomplished that feat in 1983 with Night Games.

Learn To Live went on to top the US Country Albums Chart, landed at #5 on the Billboard 200, and was certified Platinum in the US.